Over 85 percent of the eligible population has received a first dose of the vaccination against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to press on Wednesday, President’s Office Spokesperson Mabrook Aziz revealed that of the eligible population over 18 years of age, 85 percent have received a first dose.

He went on to note that 84 percent of the population above 12 years of age have completed first doses of the vaccination as well.

The authorities are currently working to reach out to the residents of the country who are yet to receive a single dose of Covid-19 vaccination, Mabrook added, noting that roughly 30,000 persons above 18 years of age and eligible for the vaccination haven’t received a single jab.

He noted that authorities are facing some difficulties in contacting these individuals and that a majority of these persons are residing abroad and haven’t been able to return to Maldives. Others who are yet to complete vaccination doses and authorities are trying to contact include bed-ridden persons and individuals facing a number of other difficulties in acquiring doses.

Mabrook went on to note that although it hasn’t been long since the government launched the vaccination drive for those above 12 years of age, it is notable that 84 percent have completed first doses within a month.

The President’s Spokesperson highlighted that the government is not far from reaching its target of inoculating 90 percent of the eligible population.

So far, over 302,000 persons have completed both doses against coronavirus.

Also at Wednesday’s presser, Mabrook revealed plans to launch an application that will track the persons who have completed their vaccine jabs.

As such, work is currently underway to launch the application, in collaboration with the Health Protection Agency as well as National Center for Information Technology (NCIT).

Although the government has announced that measures will be taken against those who do not complete their vaccination for the safety of all, Mabrook revealed that there is a delay in enforcing this, as the government is engaged in tireless efforts to establish an adequate and accurate system through which the required information may be traced and monitored.

The government is to prohibit unvaccinated persons from domestic air travel alongside banning them from seeking services at restaurants, cafés and food outlets. However, they may be provided takeaway services.

Earlier, authorities revealed that unvaccinated persons will be required to pay if they wish to do the required Covid-19 testing in order to be released from quarantine, when travelling.